controlled substances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "controlled substances" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal, medical, or regulatory contexts to refer to drugs or chemicals that are regulated by law due to their potential for abuse or addiction. Example: "The pharmacy is required to keep a detailed log of all transactions involving controlled substances to comply with federal regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It smacks of controlled substances.

The New Yorker

All are controlled substances.

University of California, Berkeley

Cultivation of controlled substances.

Cornell University

Alcoholic beverages and controlled substances.

Cornell University

§ 1002.35 Alcoholic beverages and controlled substances.

Cornell University

(21) 2.35 Alcoholic beverages and controlled substances.

Cornell University

Under the CSA, physicians who prescribe controlled substances are considered "practitioners" who "dispense" controlled substances.

Cornell University

Here are some examples of the crosswords' favourite controlled substances.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

§ 1212.11 Controlled substance convictions.

Cornell University

It contains cathinone, which is a Schedule I controlled substance in New York, and cathine, a schedule IV controlled substance.

The Guardian

"In enacting the Controlled Substances Act, Congress determined that marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance," Chitre said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or medical topics, use "controlled substances" to specifically denote drugs or chemicals regulated by law. Be aware of the specific scheduling or classification within the relevant jurisdiction.

Common error

Avoid using "controlled substances" as a generic term for all illegal drugs. The phrase specifically refers to substances regulated by law, which may include prescription medications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "controlled substances" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its usage in legal, medical, and regulatory contexts, referring to drugs or chemicals subject to government regulation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

32%

News & Media

58%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "controlled substances" is a noun phrase referring to drugs or chemicals regulated by law, often due to their potential for abuse or addiction. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees very common use in formal contexts such as legal, medical, and regulatory discussions. When using this phrase, it is vital to be aware of the specific legal and medical implications, as well as the scheduling or classification of the substances within a given jurisdiction. While alternatives like "regulated drugs" or "scheduled drugs" exist, "controlled substances" provides a precise and legally recognized term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regulated drugs

Replaces "substances" with the more specific "drugs", implying a legal regulation.

scheduled drugs

Highlights the scheduling of drugs based on their potential for abuse.

restricted medications

Emphasizes the limitation on access to certain medications.

regulated chemicals

Shifts focus to chemicals that are subject to legal control.

illicit drugs

Focuses on the illegal nature of the substances.

narcotic substances

Specifically refers to substances with narcotic effects that are controlled.

prohibited substances

Indicates a ban or prohibition on the use or possession of these substances.

prescription drugs

Focuses on drugs requiring a prescription due to their potential for misuse.

dangerous drugs

Highlights the potential harm associated with these substances.

legalized substances

Refers to substances that were previously illegal but were later legalized.

FAQs

How is "controlled substances" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "controlled substances" refers to drugs or chemicals whose manufacture, possession, or use is regulated by a government. These are often categorized into schedules based on their potential for abuse and dependence, as defined in laws like the Controlled Substances Act.

What are some examples of "controlled substances"?

Examples of "controlled substances" include opioids like morphine and codeine, stimulants like amphetamine, depressants like diazepam, and hallucinogens like LSD. The specific list varies by jurisdiction and is subject to change based on evolving scientific and medical understanding.

Which is the difference between "regulated drugs" and "controlled substances"?

While "regulated drugs" and "controlled substances" can be used interchangeably, the latter is more precise, specifically indicating substances regulated by law due to their potential for abuse or addiction. "Regulated drugs" is a more general term that may include drugs subject to other forms of regulation, such as pricing or advertising.

How does the scheduling of "controlled substances" work?

The scheduling of "controlled substances" categorizes drugs based on their potential for abuse, medical use, and safety. Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, while Schedule V drugs have a low potential for abuse and accepted medical uses. These schedules determine the level of control and restrictions placed on each substance.